Updated 22 April 2010

INFORMATION FAQ: MB WINCHES

We get asked lots of questions about winches, so we have put together some information that might be helpful. We will update this spec sheet as we learn new information.

Winches we currently have for sale include Mercedes Benz PTO winches types A and C, Werner and HPC winches. They are all mechanical drum winches. The information in the gray box below is from the original Daimler-Benz "Anbau- und Bedienungsanleitung
zur Voderen Seilwinde am Unimog."

MB Type C Winch

3,500 kilos pulling capacity.

Slip clutch disengages at 3,850 kilos

Cable speed: 0.31 to 0.41 meters
per second

50 meters of cable,
12mm diameter

MB Type A Winch

3,500 kilos pulling capacity

Cable speed: 0.8 to 1.0 meters
per second

50 meters of cable,
12mm diameter

On Unimogs, winches can be fitted at the front, midships or at the rear of the chassis. They are most useful for vehicle self-recovery or for pulling heavy loads over a short distance.

Mercedes Benz Type A Winch

Mechanical self-recovery winches are usually mounted at the front - MB types A and C, Werner winches. They are an ideal addition to a vehicle that is able to negotiate very difficult terrain where often seemingly impassable sections and extreme gradients can be encountered. The mechanical winch, driven by the gearbox PTO, can be used to either overcome the obstacle or extricate the vehicle from danger.
Unimog winches use a wire rope length of between 50 and 80 meters depending on the rope diameter which is generally 12mm to 14mm in thickness.

Mercedes Benz Type C Winch

However, a mechanical recovery winch can only pull. It cannot usually be used to lift and lower heavy loads. (Although you could use the type C winch with its "brake" to lower down a load.) As such, it can be used to pull the Unimog forwards towards a secure point where the winch cable has been attached. Alternatively,
if the Unimog is well anchored, the winch can rescue other vehicles, drag timber, lay cables, clear debris, etc.
Certain Unimogs are fitted with hydraulics, e.g., Unimog 406, and to these a fully reversible winch driven by a pump can be fitted at the front or rear. This type provides more precise winching control and has the advantage of being able to power the cable both in and out and therefore lift and lower suspended loads.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. Do the MB winches obstruct the cooling system?
No, they do not.

2. Do the MB winches impact tire wear?
Generally, we would have to say no. We have a type C winch on our Mog and have found no impact on the tire wear. Other Mog owners have said they experienced slight wear on the front tires.
3. How much do the types A and C winches weigh?
The type A is about 350 pounds. The type C weighs about
30-40 pounds more. This is an estimate at this time. We have not found the data in any literature and as of yet have not found a scale sturdy enough to weigh them.
4. How much does the MB winch add length-wise to the profile of the vehicle?
It adds between 10 and 14 inches in overall length to the vehicle. The length of a 404S is 194 inches. With the winch it is 208 inches. These specs are from MB, however, we measured how far our type C winch hung out past the front bumper and found it to be only 10 inches.
5. At what RPM does the PTO run to drive the winch?
The PTO turns in only one direction to drive the winch.
Full out, it runs at 540 RPM.
6. What does the PTO assembly weigh?
The complete assembly weighs 55 pounds.
If your questions haven't been answered here,
e-mail us and we'll add yours to the list.

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